despiteful

American  

[dih-spahyt-fuhl] / dɪˈspaɪt fəl /

adjective

1. malicious; spiteful.

2. Obsolete. contemptuous; insolent.

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despiteful British  

/ dɪˈspɪtɪəs, dɪˈspaɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. an archaic word for spiteful

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Other Word Forms

• despitefully adverb
• despitefulness noun

Etymology

Origin of despiteful

1400–50; late Middle English. See despite, -ful

Example Sentences

Were His enemies never so many, and never so despiteful against Him, yet He sall rule in the midst of them.

From The Covenants And The Covenanters Covenants, Sermons, and Documents of the Covenanted Reformation by Kerr, James

Prime youth lasts not, age will follow And make white those tresses yellow; Wrinkled face, for looks delightful, Shall acquaint the dame despiteful.

From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)

It was a habit of mind—the only revenge that I could take upon despiteful Fate.

From The Inheritors by Conrad, Joseph

Driven by despiteful wrong she takes her seat, In lowly grief, at Jove's eternal feet.

From Mosaics of Grecian History by Willson, Marcius

It is in the very nature of poetical justice that it satisfies the emotions, and I was not displeased to see affairs take this sudden turn, to view the hard and despiteful heart thus humbled.

From Schwartz: A History From "Schwartz" by David Christie Murray by Murray, David Christie